Separable button



'(No Model.)

P. H. LETTRE.

SBPARABLE BUTTON.

No. 558,398. Patented Apr. 14, 1896.

WITNESSES I N V'E'JV' T 0R M. 7MQMWM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILLIP II. LETTRFI, OF NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS.

SEPARABLE BUTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 558,398, dated April 14, 1896.

Application filed November 30, 1895. Serial No. 570,599. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, PHILLIP H. LETTRE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of North Attleborough, in the county of Bristol and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Separable Buttons; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawingsfand to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a perspective view of button. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of button-head. Fig. 3 is a central vertical section. Fig. 4 is a detail view of annulus B. Fig. 5 is a plan view of annulus. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of hollow base of button; Figs. 7 and 8, detail views of the two split rings.

The object of this invention is to provide a fastening of improved character for separable buttons, such as collar-buttons and shirtstuds; and the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, all as hereinafter described, and pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the hollow base of the button, within which is the improved fastening device. This device consists of an annulus B, which is fitted neatly to the chamber of the base, and is formed with two opposite interior sector-shaped lips b, which are connected to the annulus by necks b, the entire device being cut or stamped in a single piece from sheet metal possessing a considerable degree of inherent spring or elasticity. The inner edge of each lip 12 is formed with a semicircular recess c, and the two of these recesses combined form a substantially circular opening for the shank of the button-head O. The

annulus B is seated upon a split spring-ring D, which is slipped into the base and is seated on the bottom thereof. Above the annulus is a similar ring D, which is seated between the annulus and the cap-plate A.

The shank of the button-head O is formed with two or more surrounding grooves or notches c at different points on its length, whereby it is adapted to shirts or shirt-bosoms of different thickness, both the bottom and cap plates of the base being perforated to receive said shank. The circular opening between the lips is of appreciably less diameter than the shank, so that as the latter is forced therethrough in applying the parts of the button to each other, said lips are depressed until one of the notches or grooves c is reached, when the said lips at once straighten into engagement therewith and thus lock the shank securely.

It will be observed that the base A is perfectly reversible, and that the shank can be inserted from either side, the fastening device operating the same from both sides.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The herein-described separable button, comprising a hollow reversible base, having both its bottom and cap plate perforated, an annulus seated within the said base and having two opposite, interior, sector-shaped lips which approximate each other at the center and are formed on their approximated edges with opposing semicircular recesses which combinedly form a substantially semicircular opening for the shank of the button of less diameter than said shank, spring-rings seated within said base, one above and one below the annulus, and a head portion having a shank formed with one or more grooves or notches, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PHILLIP H. LETTRE. vVitnesses:

LUZIUR SALZGEBER, FRED B. BYRAM. 

